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Surprise. It was surprise. And undeniable attraction.
Joel was handsome.
Another wave of pain rippled across her chest, and her entire body tensed as she fought through the pain. It was as if the agony of childbirth squeezed her chest rather than her midsection.
Gentle fingers touched the side of her face, and her eyes flew open to find Joel gazing down at her, his expression full of worry. The touch felt…nice. Safe. Comforting.
Intimate.
Not knowing how to respond, she moved her head to the side, so his fingers fell away.
“How have you survived this long?” he asked, not seeming deterred by the small rejection. “And what happened outside earlier? The tree shriveled and broke apart. Is it a part of the curse?”
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “Plant life responds to my moods.”
“You were probably too young to remember,” Killian said, his eyebrows furrowed as he measured out a few drops of elixir on a spoon before adding it to a wooden bowl, “but your father had the same magic as you do.”
“I don’t have magic.”
“Yes, you do. You can draw out the energy of living things. It will kill or weaken them while you absorb their energy. I saw the tree outside. I think it was your body’s way of trying to combat the dark magic within you.”
Again, she shook her head but regretted it when her neck seized with pain. Sweet Joel replaced the damp cloth on her head with a new one. “I would know by now if I was capable of magic.”
“Would you?” The potion hissed as Killian poured the contents into an empty glass vial. “You were married to someone who hated magic. As far as I can tell, your magic acts on instinct. It would also be an instinct for survival to hide if it put you in danger.”
She gritted her teeth again as she fought through the next wave of pain. Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. She didn’t realize she clutched onto Joel’s hand until he squeezed back.
“What can we do?” Joel asked in a husky whisper. “She can’t die. There has to be a way to reverse the black magic tying her to Liam.”
Killian sighed as he handed the vial to Joel rather than to her. “There isn’t much you can do that’s not incredibly illegal or morally wrong. Whoever cast the spell was a strong mage. Either you find the mage to reverse the spell—”
“The mage is dead,” Nyana said, turning her gaze toward the ceiling. “Liam was a paranoid king who never left loose ends.”
A shuddering breath escaped Joel as he hung his head and massaged the bridge of his nose with his free hand.
“Then the other option I suggest is to return to your roots and cleanse the dark magic from your soul in the Attleglade Forest. Your father mentioned the Glades to my father when we were children. Perhaps it can help.”
“They will never permit us to enter the forest.” Their laws were strict, and they hated outsiders. “Besides, it’s too far of a journey.” At least for someone in her condition, the life draining out of her by the minute.
The Shadow Lord shrugged regretfully. “This is permanent, dark magic, Nyana. There is nothing I know how to do for you.” He nodded his head toward the elixir. “It contains a strong forest essence that your magic should be able to absorb. I’m hopeful it will stave off the darkness for a time. A week at best.”
“And then what?” Joel ran his fingers through his hair once more. “This can’t be our only option. What if it doesn’t work? Surely, you must have a way to heal her.”
Killian stood and began packing up his vials. “I am no physician, Mr. Harrington. I am a mage who knows a lot about magic. I truly wish there was more I could do, but some dark magic is just too powerful to combat.”
“Don’t you care?” Joel growled, gesturing to her. “She’s dying. And it sounds like you two used to be friends.”
With a sigh, Killian paused his packing. “Of course, I care. But what do you expect me to do? Shadewalk you into the forest? Their magic will thwart mine, possibly kill or weaken me if I’m not cautious. Besides, I cannot shadewalk four people very far. It would drain my magic too quickly and strand us all.” His expression fell as he plucked a vial out of his briefcase and handed it to her this time. She inspected its contents—a swirling fog of black shadow. “Smash this against the ground if you have need of me. I will replenish my store of forest essence within the week. And if the pain becomes too unbearable…” He blew out a long breath, which ruffled his blond hair. “I can help.”
“Thank you,” she croaked, closing her eyes for a moment, but when she opened them again, he was gone.
Tense silence followed as she and Joel found themselves alone in the room, nothing but the crackling fire to keep them company. He stared sorrowfully at the vial in his hands. She could only imagine what he must be thinking.
“I’m sorry.” At her words, he lifted his somber gaze to meet her own. “I should have told you before we married. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to.”
He nodded slowly and unstopped the vial, holding it to her lips. The bitter taste slid down her throat, but like a woman dying of thirst, her body eagerly snatched its contents. A relieving sense of life and vigor filled her body, her soul, and slowly, the pain in her chest ebbed into a pounding ache, which transitioned into a dull throb. Finally, it disappeared altogether.
She breathed in deeply and let it out slowly, her body relaxing.
